Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for financial aid, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is used to determine which aid programs you will be awarded. You can apply online at www.fafsa.gov/.

Federal student aid programs are based on the concept that it is primarily your and your family’s responsibility to pay for your education. Because a dependent student is assumed to have the support of parents, the parents’ information has to be assessed along with the student’s, in order to get a full picture of the family’s financial strength.

Determining a student’s dependency status is important in determining a student’s eligibility for federal aid programs. Your answers to questions on the FAFSA determine whether you are considered a dependent or independent student. An applicant is considered to be a dependent student unless he or she can answer “Yes” to one of the dependency questions on the application and are able to provide supporting documentation. If the student applicant answers “No” to all of the dependency status questions then he or she is considered to be a dependent student for federal student aid purposes and must provide parental information.

Please be aware that not living with your parents or not being claimed by them on tax forms does not make you an independent student for purposes of applying for federal student aid. Occasionally, unusual circumstances may exist that require a review of the student’s dependency status. These unusual circumstances are commonly cases of abuse or abandonment. If you feel that you have an unusual circumstance, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Withdrawing from all classes or dropping a class at any point after the drop/add period will negatively impact your completion rate and possibly affect your eligibility for future aid. Additionally, if you withdraw from all courses during the semester, you may be required to return some of your financial aid.

We always award students with their maximum eligibility in federal aid based on their qualifications. However, because of federal loan limits, students may not have enough funds to cover all of their educational costs. If you are in need of additional funding beyond the aid you were awarded, you could consider a Parent PLUS Loan or a private student loan.

After you apply for aid, you may be offered either a subsidized or unsubsidized loan, or a combination of both. The primary difference between the two is the interest rate and when the interest begins to accrue.

Subsidized Loans are awarded on the basis of financial need. You will not be charged any interest while the loan is in deferment status, such as while you are enrolled, as the federal government subsidizes or pays the interest.

Unsubsidized Loans charge interest from the time the money is first disbursed until it is paid in full. The interest is capitalized, meaning that you pay interest on any interest that has already accrued. One way to minimize how much interest accrues is to pay the interest as it accumulates.

Only undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need are eligible for Subsidized Loans. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students. We use federal regulations to determine the amounts each student may borrow by considering the cost of attendance and other financial aid.

Financial aid is disbursed after drop/add has ended. Only students who have completed all the necessary requirements can expect for their funds to disburse at the end of drop/add. Check the Dates/Deadlines section of the website for the exact date of when aid will disburse.

Even though withdrawing from a class may help your GPA, the SAP Policy considers hours dropped with a “W” as attempted. You must complete 67% of the classes you attempt to be meeting the progression portion of the SAP Policy.

Verification is a process mandated by the US Department of Education to confirm the accuracy of the information provided on the FAFSA. All requested documentation must be provided before a student’s financial aid eligibility will be determined.

You should complete your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. We encourage all students to apply by the April 1 priority date, as some resources are limited and may run out. However, if you miss the April 1 priority date it does not mean you cannot apply. You should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible so your aid eligibility may be determined.

Changes in federal regulations impact how financial aid can be used for classes taken more than once.

You CAN receive financial aid:

To repeat a course that has already been passed (D- or higher) only one additional time. Any repeated attempts after that will not be eligible for financial aid. Note that this applies even if you earn a failing grade (F) or withdraw (W) during the second attempt.

As many times as necessary to repeat a course in which the only previous grade earned has been a failing grade (F).

Even if a passing grade has been earned for certain repeat courses, such as Band or thesis hours, due to different subject content being studied in each term.

All courses previously taken, even if financial aid was not used, are compared against the current semester to determine if it is a repeated class and whether it can be paid for using financial aid. Your financial aid may be recalculated if you take a class that is not eligible for financial aid. This policy does not provide exceptions if the repeat courses are taken to meet plan of study grade requirements, i.e. a grade of C or higher must be earned to count towards your major.

Example with ACCT 2100:

Term

Eligible for Funding?

Reason

Grade

Fall 2011

Yes

First Attempt

W

Spring 2012

Yes

Not Passed Before

F

Summer 2012

Yes

Not Passed Before

D

Fall 2012

Yes

First Repeat

D

Spring 2013

No

Second Repeat

C

Example with ECON 2100:

Term

Eligible for Funding?

Reason

Grade

Spring 2012

Yes

First Attempt

D

Fall 2012

Yes

First Repeat

D

Spring 2013

No

Second Repeat

D

Example with MATH 1106:

Term

Eligible for Funding?

Reason

Grade

Summer 2012

Yes

First Attempt

F

Fall 2012

Yes

Not Passed Before

W

Spring 2013

Yes

Not Passed Before

D

Fall 2013

Yes

First Repeat

C

Example with ECON 1100:

Term

Eligible for Funding?

Reason

Grade

Fall 2011

Yes

First Attempt

C

Spring 2012

Yes

First Repeat

F

Fall 2012

No

Second Repeat

D

Spring 2013

No

Third Repeat

C

Example with ACCT 2200:

Term

Eligible for Funding?

Reason

Grade

Fall 2012

Yes

First Attempt

D

Spring 2013

Yes

First Repeat

W

Summer 2013

No

Second Repeat

C

Example with ECON 2300:

Term

Eligible for Funding?

Reason

Grade

Fall 2011

Yes

First Attempt

W

Spring 2012

Yes

Not Passed Before

F

Fall 2012

Yes

Not Passed Before

F

Spring 2013

Yes

Not Passed Before

F

Fall 2013

Yes

Not Passed Before

C

The repeat coursework rules only apply to undergraduate students. Repeating a course can also impact your Satisfactory Academic Progress status (SAP). All grades count for SAP and all hours attempted and earned count as well. PLEASE NOTE: If you have questions regarding your courses and repeat coursework, please contact your financial aid counselor. The rules for repeat coursework are quite complex and your individual situation will need to be reviewed.